Wednesday, February 19, 2014

While I was flipping through the January 2014 issue of Women’s
Day, I came across a page listing a few clever ideas for sponges. The one I
liked the most was for a homemade ice pack. With three kids running around
someone is always bumping into something hard (sometimes another person). The
majority of the time they just need a little T.L.C. and attention for a minute.
A “boo-boo pack” and some love from Mommy and they are back on their feet and
running again.

We used to have a few of those gel packs that we kept in the
frig but over time, they cracked or started leaking and needed to be tossed out.

The other day I picked up a package of sponges and thought I
would try to make my own.

I dripped a few drops of water onto each one then slid them
each into a zip closed baggie. I put one in the refrigerator and two into the
freezer.

The
one in the frig works fine but it doesn’t stay cold for long (or so it seems to
me). The ones in the freezer were nice and cold and stayed that way long enough
to sooth a minor bump. However, the frozen sponge wasn’t flexible and made it a
little challenging to surround the injured area.

A quick thaw and I used a serrated knife to cut into the
sponge some, so that it will be more flexible and able to encircle curved
areas.

Friday, February 7, 2014

School
delays and cancellations, icy roads, mounds of snow, brutal cold, post-holiday
slump, winter blues, whatever the reason, it’s easy to feel a little depressed
or down in the dumps this time of year. There are a few ways to break that
cycle.

One is to
get a little sun. Now sure, it would be nice to fly off to some tropical
location and sip rum punch with your toes in the sand but not too many people
can afford it or fit that into their schedules. Those diagnosed with seasonal
affective disorder are prescribed “light therapy” to help boost their mood. Seeing
your doctor might be something to consider if you feel you need more than the proverbial
pick-me-up to get out of your slump. Natural sunlight would be great but it can
be hard to come by and we need to rely on Mother Nature to cooperate.

Another option
is to get some exercise. It’s a natural and healthy way to lift your mood. Picking
up a winter sport is a good idea especially this winter. However, if being out
in the cold is not your cup of tea and part of what might have you down in the
first place then swishing down the slopes may not be the best answer for you.

My favorite go-to
fix for the blues is to socialize. It’s easy to hibernate and become a hermit
when your spirits are low. Isolating yourself can start you on a downward
spiral that can be really difficult to climb free from. Socializing can be as
easy as calling a friend. Not to cry on their shoulder but ask them all sorts
of things about their life. Give them the chance to lean on you. Hearing how
someone else is feeling can make you feel less alone and make you feel good
about yourself for being a support for another person.

You can take
it up a step from there and invite a few people over. This is a great time to
have a party. (It only takes three people to call it a party). Get a few drinks
and set out some snacks and you’re ready to go. Ask your guests to bring an appetizer
over and add a theme to your evening and they’ll be talking about how much fun
they had for weeks.

There are so
many fun ways to add a theme now. Fight the blues and have everyone wear
something blue. Write down some conversation starting questions and put them in
a basket to help “break the ice”. (Pun intended). Call all your single friends
and host a non-traditional Valentine party. With the Olympics starting, you
have a readymade theme. Have your guests dress in red, white and blue or ask them
to bring an ethnic food to share. Pull the names of various countries out of a
hat and each guest gets to cheer for a different team.

Whatever you
do find a way to have some fun, put a smile on your face and warm your heart.

Sunday, February 2, 2014

With less
than two weeks to go before Valentine’s day and I’m busy getting organized for
the classroom party. Here are two of the craft projects I’m planning.

The first
one is an “I {heart} to read” bookmark.

While
looking for ideas on pinterest, I saw this idea for making a colorful heart
garlandand it
inspired me to think of a way to make a valentine themed bookmark.

I have to
say the hardest part was getting the paint chips. I feel like they are watching
me and they know I have no intention of painting. I’m sure it’s a matter of
time before we have to pay a deposit to take these things out of the paint
store. There are just too many cute crafts you can do with them.

Since most
of the red was already gone, I gathered an assortment of colors. I picked up a
little heart punch from the dollar bin at the craft store.

I punched a
little heart out of each color on each of the paint strips.I saved the dark shades for another step in
the project.

I printed
out a sheet of cardstock that says “I (space for a heart) to read”.

﻿

I cut this statement into small tags. Then I glued the
colored hearts into the open space and punched a hole at the end of the tag.

I cut some
ribbon into 12 inch pieces. During the party, the kids will pick the color
paint chip they like, then pick an “I (heart) to read” tag and tie them
together with the ribbon. If you have older kids and/or more heart punches I’m
sure the kids could do more of the work.

Stuff you didn't know you wanted to know

Since my childhood, I have been making, creating, designing and imagining. I have always wanted to have my own business but the timing was just never quite right. After college, I began a 14 year career as an Occupational Therapist; a wonderful journey that crossed my path with the lives of hundreds of truly exceptional people. It was a job that frequently allowed me to express my inner-spirit and one that I loved dearly.
I grew up in PA. and from there I moved seven times through three states and six cities. Now, as a stay-at-home mom and through the wonders of the internet, I have incorporated the best of both worlds. I can continue to be at home to nurture my children and express my creativity through my jewelry designs. Visit regularly to get helpful hints, fresh ideas and tons of special offers and discounts on my jewelry.